Dolores Jones

What is the nature of God? Does He have a form? If He does, what does He look like? Does He speak to us in an audible voice? If He does, what does His voice sound like? Why does God … (fill in the blank)? Questions without answers. But, is that a bad thing? In Jewish thought, it is actually a very good thing!  And in fact, it is not the answer that is important at all, but the question. Some questions will not be answered on this side of eternity and we need to appreciate it rather than allow it to be disconcerting. The secrets of the Torah are not to be found only in the answers but in the questions!  Why? Well that is a question our Sages have many answers for.  …

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace’” (Zech 8:19).

Zechariah was a “post-Exilic” prophet, i.e., he prophesied after Israel’s return from Captivity in Babylon. In his day, the people of Israel were seriously disheartened—their once beautiful city of Jerusalem lay in ruins and Solomon’s magnificent Temple has been destroyed. It must have seemed to many of the Returnees that God was still upset with them—for the task of rebuilding the Temple and the city and its walls was overwhelming.

Of course, part of Zechariah’s purpose was to encourage the people to rebuild, and that God was still very much with them—in spite of their sin and the calamity they experienced as a result of it. But, God was interested in much more than the rebuilding of a city—He wanted His people to re-commit themselves to His Ways as well. …

Tisha b’Av (the 9th of Av)Read More »

We like to think of “faith” as something strong—“trust” as something unwavering.  But, on occasion, we doubt … we have uncertainty.  We don’t like to admit it, but we are sometimes plagued with doubt. And, then we begin to worry, and wonder if we have any faith at all. It might surprise you to know that doubt and uncertainty can result in an even stronger “faith.” …

The Lesson of Doubt—Learning to Ask the Right QuestionsRead More »

There is a mistaken notion that difficulty (or the lack of prosperity) in life is necessarily a direct result of our sin (either inwardly or outwardly). And, it is because of this sin that God withholds His blessing from us. The converse notion is also faulty, that prosperity is necessarily a sign of God’s favor or approval. …

Is All Difficulty in Life a Sign of Sin?Read More »